Driver Who Caused Fatal Millersville Crash Will Not Go to Jail

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A truck driver who caused an eight-vehicle Millersville crash that killed three people will not spend time in jail.

Jason Pagayoya, 38, of Waldorf, was given a suspended sentence Monday for pleading guilty to three counts of criminal negligent manslaughter, reports The Capital-Gazette.

The judge also sentenced Pagayoya to five years of probation, imposed a $5,000 fine and ordered him to perform 200 hours of community service.

Patch previously reported that Pagayoya was driving a flatbed delivery truck on Aug. 27, 2013, that left Route 32 and then failed slow down as he approached traffic on Route 3 southbound. His truck struck a 2009 Camry and caused a chain reaction accident that killed two girls and a 37-year-old woman, all from Warsaw, VA.

Police said six others were hurt in the crash.

Those killed were:

• Bethany Dawn Dempsey, 37, of Warsaw, VA
• Dempsey’s daughter, 14-year-old Lauren White, also of Warsaw
• Abigail Randi Cullen, age 7, of Warsaw, VA

Anne Arundel County Police said there was no indication that Pagayoya was exceeding the speed limit, but that driver error was a factor in the crash.

Anne Arundel State’s Attorney Wes Adams had pressed for jail time in the case.

“We believe there is very little deterrent value to a sentence that only includes a fine and community service,” Adams said in a statement to the newspaper.

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